Published: 18 May 2023

From The Previous Chapter:

In Billy’s room, Mr. Ken told the teen that with the DA working with him on Saturday, the 29th, they would have to go and visit his mom on that Sunday, which will probably make it a very long day of driving to and from the prison. The man wanted the teen to know they could delay the visit to the following Saturday if he wanted. Billy said he would think about it, but, for now, he wanted to go as soon as he could.

In Robert’s and Matthew’s rooms the two boys asked about their ‘Family Day’, but again ‘dad’ Ken would not budge on telling them what he had planned for them. Matthew did ask his foster dad if he would ever adopt him. But Mr. Ken told the pre-teen that his lawyer was looking into that and they both had to wait until there was movement on that issue.

Everyone was happy that evening when they went to bed. That allowed the Cover’s to sleep well and have a restful sleep that night.

The three younger Cover boys woke up at their normal school day time and got ready for the day. After they got dressed, they met in the hall and walked down to the Kitchen Nook together.

When Phillip entered the Nook, Mr. Ken noticed a change in the boy. He had a big smile on his face and he was humming as he took care of cleaning Chief’s water and kibble bowls and filling them with fresh water and food.

When the youngest Cover sat down to eat his breakfast, Mr. Ken got Phillip’s attention and asked him, “Phillip, what put you in such a good mood this morning, if I may ask?”

“Oh … well you took me to see my mom last night and now … and now that I know she is going to be OK, I can stop worrying about her. I slept so much better last night and now I feel really good, Mr. Ken,” answered Phillip.

“That sounds really good, son, and I am glad to hear it. I will call the doctor today to find out what your mom still has to do before she is better. And boys … please remind your friends to be here by ten o’clock tomorrow, so we can set out the eggs and set up the prize area,” finished ‘dad’ Ken.

While Robert and Billy were eating their breakfast, about an hour later, Mr. Ken asked them to remind their friends to be here by ten o’clock tomorrow, so they could get the Easter Eggs set out in the three areas they use for the three different age groups and the prize area established for when they bring the winning coupons over to claim their prize.

At school, Phillip’s friends could tell there was something different about their Cover buddy, so Westin asked him, “Phillip, why do you look so … so cheerful today?”

“Yeah, that, well, Mr. Ken … he asked me that same question this morning at breakfast. The doctor … he called him to tell him that that my mom came out of her coma and had been asking about me. So, Mr. Ken … he took me to see her last night. Boy was I ever so happy see her. We talked as much as we could,” answered the Cover.

“How is she?” asked Preston.

“I was so happy to see her that I never asked her,” replied a smiling Phillip.

“Mr. Ken … he’s going to call the doctor today and ask him. So, I hope when I get home after school, he’ll be able to tell me. I’ll let you know tomorrow at the Easter Egg Roll. Oh, and remember to be there at ten, OK?” finished Phillip.

The boys talked some more about what they would do tomorrow at the Easter Egg Roll. Westin then told his friends that his sister Whitney, and a friend of hers, were supposed to be coming over to The Cove at about 2:30. The boy said she was supposed to be coming to see Robert and the other boys after the Easter Egg Roll was over. They talked about those two things until the first bell rang.

Both Charles and Matthew also talked with their friends about arriving at The Cove by ten o’clock tomorrow morning. They told them that their ‘dad’ wanted to get started on setting out the one thousand eggs and setting up the prize area. All the boys had done that last year, so they knew what they were in for when they arrived that Saturday morning.

At the high school, Robert talked to his friends and reminded them about the early arrival tomorrow. Whitney saw him talking to his friends and she came by with her friend, Taylor, to introduce her to him so he would know her when they came by tomorrow afternoon.

Robert, in turn, introduced Taylor to all of his friends. The group exchanged a few words with one another, but Gordon took a special interest in Taylor and began asking her if she skated. The two then began talking about their skateboards and what type of trucks and wheels they had. Gordon then told her what she could expect at the Cove’s Skate Park tomorrow. The two talked about skating and then wandered off and left the group standing there. The group laughed at what just happened.

Billy got his small group of friends together and explained to them that Mr. Ken wanted them to arrive tomorrow by ten o’clock. Gus, the German exchange student, asked him why they needed to be there so early. The Cover explained that they had to place one thousand eggs out in the field and along the driveway wall and that it took time to do that.

Gus then told the teens that in Germany their parents would hide the eggs in the house or out in the gardens, or their yards, and have them look for them. He told them that in large families there might be two special-colored eggs, a gold and a silver one, that would represent a special Easter gift of candy or something the children might want.

Gus continued and said that in many towns in Germany they would use the parks and hide the Easter eggs there and have all the children search for the eggs. He added that when the children find them, they get to keep them. He said sometimes the egg might also represent a special prize that they would exchange it for.

Gabe then asked Gus if there were any other traditions that they did in Germany that were different than what they did in America. Gus said this was his first time in the United States during Easter, but all he saw in the stores was that the Easter bunny was the only animal who delivered the Easter Eggs.

The German exchange student added that, just like in America, all throughout Germany, usually the Easter bunny delivers and hides colored eggs, but that in some parts of Germany, there was an Easter fox or the Easter rooster which delivers the eggs. The teenagers had a good chuckle at hearing there was different animals that were responsible for the eggs.

Gus then told the Cover, and the rest of the teens, that in Germany, people decorated live trees or bushes in their yards with colored eggs tied on with ribbon. He said that, unlike Christmas trees, these trees are living, and don’t require a special stand or lights, and because it can still be grey and cold in the spring, these colored eggs add a festive atmosphere to the neighborhoods and towns because the trees still haven’t gotten any leaves on them yet. The exchange student said that the people use plastic, wooden or real painted eggs that have been hollowed out.

Gus added that they also had what is called the Easter Fire, or Osterfeuer. He explained it is a symbol of light in the darkness and it could be as simple as lighting a candle, or as big as a bonfire which are ignited all over in Germany at Easter. The German student said the fire is a symbol of light, of renewal, and it signified the end of Winter, and the coming of spring.

Gus never got to tell his friends any more about German Easter traditions as the first bell rang, and they all had to go inside the building to their homerooms for attendance.

Mr. Ken waited until mid-morning to call the hospital to talk to Makenzie Flores’ doctor. The doctor wasn’t at the hospital ward at the time, so the nurse took his message and phone number and told him she would have the doctor call him as soon as he arrived.

Ms. Jackie, Jacqueline Kromiere, Mr. Ken’s Project Manager, had been working with Ben Walthers in researching obtaining a 15- or 16-inch gauge, 70-passenger tracked miniature train for going around the Go-Kart Track and Miniature Golf Course at Four Corners and whatever family rides they could squeeze in the remaining available space there would be remaining and had scheduled a meeting with Mr. Ken that morning. The meeting included Ben Walthers with Rosemary Martin, Mr. Ken’s executive secretary, taking notes.

“Mr. Ken, Ben and I … we have researched the amusement park miniature train manufacturers, the types of trains and everything needed to put a train ride at Four Corners. There are lots of decisions that need to be made before we can proceed. Even before cost is considered, I believe the cost will be determined when you decide on what look you want.

“Whether you want a diesel or locomotive design will be the first decision. Then do you want oil burning or battery powered and how many passenger cars you want to have. Then there is the landscaping, ticket booth, train station, siding, storage, maintenance area and a whole lot more,” finished Ms. Jackie.

Then, looking from her notes, Jackie Kromiere added, “Mr. Ken … as an example of cost … I found a used 16”-gauge 1/4 scale Hudson 4-6-4 Oil Fired Steam locomotive and a 16”-gauge Twin Diesel Train and they each come along with 4 covered riding coaches, 11,400 feet of Steel Rail plus an additional 5000 feet of used rail, 5,500 Treated Red Pine ties, 20,000 miniature steel railroad spikes, 8 automatic spring switches, and a few more pieces all for $300.000.00 … each.

“That might sound like a good deal for either one, but the buyer has to arrange and pay for transport and then we have to have everything installed. On top of that, we have no experience with this type of equipment, and no one with maintenance experience on the trains.

“We also need to establish the route we want the train to follow, where the train station will be, what landscaping and buildings might be found along the way, where the train will be parked overnight and for maintenance, and much, much more.

“You also wanted us to determine how many children and family rides we could install in the remaining area. Again, that will all be determined by where the train is located and how much space it will need. Mr. Ken … I personally do not believe the train will be installed this year. First, it needs to be sited, then the area needs to be surveyed for clearance. After that we have to apply for permits from the county which could take until the fall,” concluded Ms. Jackie.

“Ben … what are your thoughts?” asked Mr. Thomas.

Ben Walthers agreed with what Ms. Jackie reported and added a few more items including the rides they both had considered for the area. The President of Three Finger Entertainment, LLC said they could possibly get a temporary permit for the summer and set up the rides and then remove them while they install the train.

Ben Walthers said they could be asking for a permanent permit with the siting of all the amusement rides, but for that they would need a design plan with all the electrical, water, drainage, sewer, and lighting for the permit process to go through.

Ken Thomas sat back thinking about what he just heard. He did not realize the amount of time and the amount of paperwork it would take to achieve his desire to have a miniature train running around the Go-Kart Track and Miniature Golf Course at Four Corners.

“Ben … let’s go for the temporary permit and … and let’s plan for whatever children and family rides we can have in the area between the Go-Karts and Miniature Golf Course this year. In the meantime, let’s meet there and site the train, on Monday. We can have lunch over there.

“We also need to get the design group involved and get them started on the site map of all the utilities so we can go forward with the permanent permit process. In the meantime, I think we should have two trains in case one goes down for repairs.

Then, looking at Jackie, Mr. Ken said, “Jackie … contact at least two train manufactures. I want the cost on one each diesel and one locomotive and accompanying passenger cars for about 70 people. Also … find out who plans the layout and installs the tracks, switches, etc. and get their costs. Also, Jackie … walk the train route and … and I want you to decide what the riders will see as they ride the train around the grounds.

“Jackie … and don’t be stingy. If you want a house, put in a house; a tunnel, then put in a tunnel. A train station is probably needed and let’s make it also serve as a refreshment stand. So, you’re going to need someone to design the station, etc. Get with the design group first thing Monday and tell them what you need.”

The meeting ended with everyone knowing what they needed to do. Mr. Ken and Ben put Monday’s lunch at Four Corners on their schedule. Ms. Jackie asked if she could join them. She reasoned that the three of them could all walk the proposed train route together and see if there were any obstacles and other issues that could cause problems with the installation. Mr. Ken agreed to the three of them having lunch together on Monday. Rosemary would put it on the master calendar.

Mackenzie Flores’ doctor didn’t get back with Ken Thomas until late that afternoon. The doctor explained he had a few emergencies come up and just got freed up. Mr. Ken told the man he was just happy he could get some feedback on Phillip’s mom so the boy could look forward to his mom getting better.

The doctor told the foster dad that they declared Mackenzie Flores had had a severe concussion and there were some complications from it. The doctor explained that the coma being the first thing and her sense of balance and loss of memory also came from the blow to the side of her head.

The doctor told Mr. Ken that Mackenzie still had some balance problems that they were working on that was accompanied by some dizziness, which could very well be the reason for the loss of balance. The doctor told Mr. Ken that he was concerned by the woman’s difficulty in concentrating, though he also indicated that they were watching her for seizures.

The doctor went on to explain that Ms. Flores had, on occasion, sudden onsets of fear or the feeling of anxiety, had been sick to her stomach at times, had a change in her vision and with the dizziness, all were symptoms of a possible seizure onset.

The doctor told Mr. Ken that they will continue to monitor Ms. Flores over the weekend for any sign of a seizure. He also indicated that they may want to start her on a low dose of medication to prevent a seizure, but that it won’t happen just yet. The doctor told Mr. Ken he doesn’t want to medicate if he doesn’t have to, so they will continue to observe Makenzie while she is in their care.

Mr. Ken asked the doctor when he thought Mackenzie would be able to start doing her court ordered requirements in order for her and her son to get back together. The doctor said they needed at least another week of tests and observations before they could ever begin to make that determination. The doctor told Mr. Ken that Ms. Flores needed to get her balance back and they needed to attend to her dizziness before they could even begin to consider discharging her. Mr. Ken thanked him and the two completed the call.

As Mr. Ken hung up the call with the doctor, Rosemary used the intercom to tell him he had another phone call. This call was from Mr. Chris.

“Yes, Chris, what is it you need to talk to me about?” asked the owner of The Cove.

“Mr. Ken … I have the information you asked about for Bill’s mom. Will you be here before I leave for the day, or will you be able to stay Monday morning, so I can brief you on what I learned about where Amelia Dirketson is located and what is needed to put money into her commissary account?” asked Chris Dominions, The Cove’s Estate Manager.

“Is it that complicated, Chris?” asked Mr. Ken.

“Well, Mr. Ken, it will probably be best if we talk face-to-face. That way it will be easier to discuss what I found and I can more easily answer your questions,” offered Mr. Chris.

Mr. Ken told his Estate Manager he would plan to stay home Monday morning and catch up on all the issues relating to The Cove. He told Chris to tell Wayne that, too, so the three of them can get caught up with what is planned for the future and anything that is on their minds. Mr. Chris said he was looking forward to catching up with his employer, then laughed.

After Mr. Ken completed his call with Mr. Chris, he told Rosemary he would be late to the office on Monday and would call her if he wouldn’t be coming in at all. He did tell her he would still meet with Ben and Jackie for lunch and they would discuss the Four Corners train and its siting.

After coordinating with his executive secretary, Mr. Ken called Kate. She was at work preparing some papers for next week’s closing on another property Mr. Ken was buying near his Crystal Lake Amusement Park, but had time to talk to him.

He told her he wanted to call and talk to her as the weekend would be a busy one with the Easter Egg Roll on Saturday and then Sunday starting with the boys getting their Easter baskets and then his taking a Family Day with the boys that would probably last the whole day.

Kate was happy he called her. She was really enjoying the attention Ken Thomas was giving her and she appreciated he always asked about her boys which told her Ken wasn’t interested in just her. She was falling for the guy and was hoping the feeling was mutual.

Kate and Ken talked for about forty minutes. Ken told Kate what he planned to do with the boys on Easter Sunday after they ate Brunch at Four Corners. He then told her about Phillip’s mom and her prognosis. When Kate told her hopeful lover that she did have to finish what she was working on and get home to her boys, Ken said he understood.

Ken then looked at the time and told her he’d better get a move on, as well. The two said they’d talk again soon and then they completed their call. Ken Thomas felt elated after the call. He always felt good inside after talking or being with Kate Partlunds and right now he had a big smile on his face.

Mr. Ken walked out into his secretary’s office and told her he was going to visit a few of his other business offices and would be back by five. Rosemary thanked her boss for that information as he walked out the door.

The executive secretary saw the smile on her boss’s face and knew he just got off the phone with Kate. So, she rang Jackie’s phone and asked her if she was busy. Jackie’s office was right next door and she came over so the two could talk. The subject of their conversation – Mr. Ken and Kate and if they thought they would ever get married.

After the three younger Cover boys arrived home from school, they told Momma Maria they wanted to wait to have their after-school snack with their older ‘brothers’. Momma told them that was OK with her and asked them to start their homework and she would send Robert or Bill up to get them when they got home.

An hour later the high school Covers returned to The Cove and Momma told them their ‘brothers’ wanted to have their snacks with them and one of them needed to go up and get them. Billy went up the back stairs and stopped at each of his “brothers’ bedrooms and told them to hurry down to the Kitchen Nook so they all could have their snacks together.

As the five Cover boys ate their after-school snacks, they speculated what they would be doing on Sunday. Billy said they would probably all get Easter baskets Sunday morning. Phillip was surprised at hearing that and asked Billy if that was true.

Billy told his youngest ‘brother’ that he was there last Easter and he was totally surprised when he got his own Easter basket Easter morning. The teen told the almost eleven-year-old that he couldn’t remember the last time he had his own Easter basket. He went on to tell all of his ‘brothers’ that all he could remember when he lived with his mom was his mom would buy that plastic Easter grass and put it into a big flat bowl and place a bunch of Easter candy on it for him, Jody and her to eat from.

Phillip spoke up and told his ‘brothers’ that his mom and grandmother would buy him these pre-packaged Easter baskets. He added that they were OK, but he wished they would have bought him more candy, because that was all the Easter candy there was in the house.

Matthew told his ‘brothers’ that when he was younger, he got Easter baskets, but after his dad left, his mom began dating all these men and he didn’t get much Easter stuff. Then when she began dating Lincoln, he didn’t get anything but beaten.

Charles told his ‘brothers’ that when he was younger and his mom hadn’t gotten hooked on drugs yet, he got lots of Easter candy. But when she started to smoke weed and then got mixed up with ‘Smokey’ any Holiday became an afterthought.

All the boys then looked to Robert. They wanted to hear what he used to get for Easter before he was taken away from his parents. The teenager just sat there, not saying a word. He knew his ‘brothers’ wanted him to tell them about his Easters, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to.

“Guys,” began Charles, “Robert and I, we … ahh, we were at the same foster homes together at one time, and … well … I think he doesn’t want to talk about his Easters with his parents. I know why he was in the system, and ahh … and it was a painful time for him. He was only ten at the time, I think, when … when everything came crashing down. So, what say we don’t pressure him to tell us. OK?” finished Charles.

The three other Covers sort of whispered between themselves. Robert heard them, but then realized that his ‘brothers’ all said something about what their Easter’s were like, and he was being childish by not speaking up. So, he decided to tell them how he saw his Easter Sundays’.

“No, no … I’ll tell you,” spoke up Robert. “It’s just … well … anyway, at Easter I used to get these big Easter baskets full of candy. My mom … she … she’d buy me at least one huge chocolate bunny. She also bought me those yellow marshmallow chicks. One year … I set them aside in a cupboard, or someplace, that I had forgotten about them. Then, when I found them about four or five months later, they were as hard as rocks.

“I showed my mom and dad and I told them I was going to throw them out. But my dad … he told me to give him one. I did and he put it into his mouth. He told me it was like eating a caramel candy, at first, but as it warmed up in his mouth, he said it got soft and it tasted just as it did when it was new.

“So, I had to try one. You know what? It really did start out stiff, but it got soft and chewy and it did taste just as it did when it was just bought. You know what? If I get some of those marshmallow chicks or bunnies this year, I might do the same thing and see if I can let them get hard and see if they taste just the same, in four or five months,” finished the teenager with a smile on his face, as he remembered that fun time in his life.

Phillip never heard of anyone doing that, so he quickly spoke up and asked, “Do you think Mr. Ken … would he give us Easter baskets and some of those, too? And, do you think he’d let us do that? You know, put them away and let them get hard and try them at the end of the summer?”

While the boys talked about their previous Easter’s, Momma Maria stayed back and listened to their stories. She knew they all had been taken away from their moms and dads and in some ways were reliving a good time in their lives.

But Momma also knew they were also thinking about what they once had as was indicated by Robert’s initial reluctance to talk about his early Easters. She was happy he did, though, tell his ‘brothers’ about his experience with the marshmallow chicks. She saw the smile on the teen’s face, which told her it was a happy memory of his childhood.

The boys were still talking in the Kitchen Nook when Mr. Ken came home from the office. He asked them why they were still there as Momma needed to get dinner finished and they were in her way. The boys apologized to Momma Maria for staying too long and then they quickly cleaned up their dirty dishes and glasses and then found their ‘dad’ in his Study.

When the boys entered the Study, they heard their ‘dad’ and Mr. Wayne talking about the personal watercraft. The boys all sat down and heard that next week the WaveRunners and Jet Ski would be towed away on Monday for their annual maintenance prior to the summer season. The brand-new Sea-Doo GTX Limited 300, which could do 65 mph, that the boys received for Christmas, was delivered prepared for the upcoming season and would remain in the cove.

“Boys,” said Mr. Ken, as he focused his attention on them, “did you have a good day?”

The boys looked around at one another; looking to see who would go first. Robert decided he’d go first, so he told his dad about Whitney introducing Taylor to him so he would know who she was tomorrow. The teen then told him how Gordon began talking to Taylor about skating and before everyone knew it the two walked away from the group, still talking. Robert said how everyone laughed at what just happened.

Billy said nothing special happened at school to him, but he wanted to know if Mr. Ken had found out anything about his mom. Mr. Ken said that Mr. Chris had some information and the two of them would be sitting down together and talking Monday morning about her. He said he should be able to tell him more Monday evening. Billy thanked him for that information.

Phillip then spoke up and asked his foster dad if he found anything out about his mom. Mr. Ken asked the boy if he wanted his ‘brothers’ to hear what he had to say. Phillip looked around at the boys and decided that they all seemed to share things like that, so he told Mr. Ken he didn’t mind.

“Phillip … the doctor told me that your mom still has balance problems. He told me she gets dizzy and that it still could be a symptom of the blow she took to her head. He added they are going to observe her over the weekend.

“When I asked him when she might be released so she could begin her court ordered requirements in order for her and her son to get back together, he told me that he would keep her for at least another week because of the balance problems and that they needed to get that cleared up before she could be released on her own.

“So, Phillip, she will be at the hospital until at least until next Friday. We’ll have to wait until the end of next week to learn more. Will that be OK with you?” finished the foster dad.

“Yea, at least … at least she is getting better,” answered Phillip.

Momma came to the Study door indicating she was ready to serve dinner. Mr. Ken saw her, so he told everyone to get cleaned up and to head to the Kitchen Nook as Momma had their dinner ready for them.

That night, the Covers didn’t know it, but it was Good Friday, and Momma Maria, being a good practicing Catholic made a Lenten meal for them as she had the previous Easter Good Friday.

That night Momma made Tequila Lime Shrimp Tacos with Pineapple Poblano Salsa that included a perfect balance between sweet n’ spicy with honey, jerk seasoning, and adobo sauce then topped with charred Pineapple Poblano Salsa and fresh cilantro. Momma also served crunchy fish tacos if the boys didn’t like the tequila lime shrimp tacos.

There was also baked fish along with Red Enchiladas Rojas (also known as Enchiladas Norteñas) which are lightly fried corn tortillas layered with homemade red chili sauce, fresh chopped onions, and shredded cheese for a delicious and traditional dish from Northern Mexico.

The woman also went all out, because she didn’t know if the boys would like everything, so she also served a pot of freshly made frijoles (refried beans), or Frijoles de la Olla, and she made fresh guacamole and tostadas, which are golden fried tortillas, along with a mix of shredded cheeses, chopped tomatoes and sour cream the boys could use to top everything off.

Ken Thomas thoroughly enjoyed everything Momma served that night. This was the second time he could remember she had served fish to them and he was enjoying everything. Wayne Mitchell was also enjoying this special meal. He was also surprised he hadn’t put on twenty pounds with all the wonderful meals Momma Maria had provided him over the last year and a half.

The boys, at first, weren’t too sure what they were eating. Well, everyone, that is, except Billy. He remembered what Momma had served last year, just before Easter, and he knew whatever she served would be awesome, so he dug right in.

Phillip saw his big ‘brother’ eagerly tasting everything that was on the table, so he asked him about it. Billy told his youngest ‘brother’ that he was missing a wonderful feast and that Momma was making a special effort to make these Mexican foods for them and he should try everything.

Phillip did try everything and when he did, he learned that his tastebuds were awakened and he went back for more. His other ‘brothers’ saw how Phillip loved the new foods, so they decided to give them all a second try. They too, decided they were very good and had more.

The Covers sat at the table and ate up just about everything Momma had placed before them. They all knew Momma Maria was a great cook, but today’s meal was just out-of-this-world good.

“Momma,” began Mr. Ken, “you out did yourself tonight! That was an awesome dinner! I loved all the flavors you had for us tonight and what I loved the most was that you served us fish and not meat. I wouldn’t complain if you would serve us fish more often.” Momma smiled at the compliment.

The boys agreed with their ‘dad’ and they told Momma that they weren’t sure of what they were having tonight, but after they ate more of it they began to enjoy the mixture of flavors. Billy was the most vocal. He told her that he remembered what she made last Easter time and knew tonight’s meal would be just as great, and that he wasn’t disappointed. He thanked her profusely.

For dessert, Momma made Capirotada, or Mexican Bread Pudding. She made the dessert with layers of crusty bolillo bread, raisins, bananas, almonds and cheese all soaked in sweetened cinnamon milk. She then served it warm with whipped cream and round sprinkles for the Covers to add if they wished.

When the Covers finished eating that Good Friday night meal their stomachs were very full. Each and every one of them, including Mr. Ken and Mr. Wayne, went over to Momma Maria and thanked her with a big hug for making them such a very special meal that evening. Billy even gave her a peck on the cheek which made Momma blush.

The boys then helped the woman clear the table and rinse the tableware and dishes and put them into the dishwasher, while Momma put the leftover bread pudding into the refrigerator before she washed the pots and pans.

When the Covers got together in the Study a little while later, ‘dad’ Ken had his usual meeting with the boys. He told them the overnight security crew would stay over to help with crowd control during the Easter Egg Roll and would leave right after the prizes were given out.

Mr. Ken reminded the boys that it was only five weeks to their Memorial Day Picnic and six weeks to the end of School. He told them that he had planned for them to start their trip that Monday after school gets out, unless something, like a trial comes up, as it did last year, which would delay their departure.

Phillip had no idea what his foster dad was talking about, so he tugged on Billy’s shirt and asked him. Billy told his younger ‘brother’ he’d have to tell him after their meeting. Phillip said he’d wait.

Mr. Ken said that Mr. Wayne and Mr. Dennis would be looking to buy additional patio furniture and umbrellas for the Cove Skate Park area for their guests to sit on during their picnics, but that he will still ask them to bring their own chairs, as he wasn’t going to buy 200 padded chairs to be used two or three times a year. The boys all chuckled at hearing that.

Mr. Ken then told the boys he wanted them up, showered, dressed and down in the Nook for breakfast with enough time to eat, so they were ready to meet up with their friends by ten o’clock. The boys knew that there was no room for discussion on that issue.

As their meeting broke up, Mr. Wayne told everyone that he was going to head back to his apartment, since he would be at The Cove bright and early tomorrow. The boys told him to sleep well and they all headed up to their rooms.

When the boys were in their rooms, Phillip went down to Billy’s room to ask him what happened last year that caused them to start their trip later than usual. Billy told the youngster that Matthew and Charles, and a few of their friends, all took sailing lessons and that caused them to delay the start of their trip by a day or two.

Phillip then asked the teen about what Mr. Ken said about a trial. Billy then told the boy that the twins, who used to live there, were going to have to testify at a trial against the four men who tried to kidnap them the year before. Mr. Ken was afraid the trial would go for weeks past the end of school, because there were four guys on trial.

But the teen told the young boy that Mr. Ken was able to get the District Attorney to have the twins, and Robert, testify early, but that the trial ended early when one of the men on trial was found dead in his jail cell.

Phillip was surprised that Robert also had to testify. Billy told the boy that he didn’t know all of their stories, and he may never know their full story, but that sometimes because of what their parents are involved in causes them, like he had to, to testify at his mom’s trial, to go to their trial and tell the court what they know.

Phillip asked Billy if he will have to go to court. The teen told him that as long as his mom didn’t do anything wrong, he shouldn’t have to. But now that the courts are making her do some sort of court ordered requirements, he might have too later.

Mr. Ken was out in the hallway looking for Phillip when he came across the teen and young boy talking. So, he waited out in the hall and listened to what they were taming about. When he heard what Billy had to say about Phillip might having to testify, he knocked on the door frame and stepped in.

“Phillip … you know … your mom … that she was given some court ordered conditions in order for her and you to get back together. Right? And what Bill just told you could happen. The judge … he might call you in and talk to you before he rules on how soon you two will get back together. But you shouldn’t worry about it. It would be just like you and me talking in my Study, or your bedroom at night. Now, let’s go to your room,” said a smiling Mr. Ken.

Mr. Ken spent a few minutes talking to all the boys before heading down to his own private retreat to get ready for bed himself. And it was while he was talking to them that they all heard the doorbell ring. They were all curious as to who it could be that late at night and none of them could fathom who it could be.

Chief didn’t care who it was, as she immediately started barking and raced down the hallway to the stairs and to the Foyer Door waiting for someone to open it. Mr. Ken wasn’t too far behind the resident pet to see who it was. The boys quickly followed after they put on some nylon running shorts.

When the owner of The Cove opened the Foyer Door, he had a pleasant surprise waiting there.

“Collin, my boy, welcome!” announced the man, as he opened up his arms to the teenager to give the young man a hug.

“What brings you here?” asked Mr. Ken as he hugged the teen.

“Bro, I … I couldn’t stand being in that big house at Easter all alone. I needed to be with someone,” offered Collin, as tears fell down his cheeks.

The boys were now in the Foyer and they heard what Collin said, and they all ran to him and gave him a group hug.

When the hug broke up, Mr. Ken told the boys to go back up to their rooms, but Robert spoke up and said, but our big ‘brother’ hasn’t met his newest little ‘brother’, yet, dad.”

“Oh, yes, thank you, Robert,” said dad Ken. “Come over here Phillip. … Phillip … this is Collin … he was my very first foster son. Collin … this is Phillip. He came to us about three weeks ago. He’ll be eleven on the eighteenth of May.”

“Phillip, you couldn’t have been brought to a better place,” offered Collin. “This man saved my life twice, and I will be forever grateful.” The two Covers then shook hands.

“Now, boys, you all head up to bed and let Collin and me talk. You all can talk to him tomorrow. Now git!” announced a chuckling ‘dad’ Ken.

Mr. Ken and Collin went into the Study to talk. There the Big Bro learned that Collin was feeling all alone now that Grammy had passed away and he had no one but him and his ‘brothers’ and he needed to be with them at that Easter time.

Mr. Ken pulled the teenager into one of the big leather chairs and as the two sat together, the man let Collin cry the sadness, he had inside of him, out. From the way the teen cried, the Big Bro knew the teen was hurting and he wished there was a way he could get Doctor Doug to talk with him.

As Collin began to settle down from his crying, the teen apologized to his Big Bro for doing that. But Mr. Ken told him that there was nothing wrong with letting out the hurt that was within him, especially when he was with someone he trusted and loved.

Collin smiled at his Big Bro, hugged the man, then he said, “Thank you, Bro, for saying that. Ever since Grammy’s passing it’s … it’s been a bit tough knowing it was just me, now. Then, when I got home, the house, it … it didn’t feel like a home with it being so empty, so … well I needed to be with the people I do love. Thank you for being there for me!”

The two hugged one more time. Big Bro Ken stood up, standing the teen up as he did, and told the teen they both needed a good night’s rest and for him to head up to one of the guest suites and go to bed. Mr. Ken told the teen to sleep in. The man did remind Collin that tomorrow they were having the annual Easter Egg Roll, so he and the boys would be extremely busy until it was over at about 2:30.

Collin thanked his Big Bro for telling him that and added that he’d try to sleep in and he would see him and his ‘brothers’ sometime in the morning. The two hugged one last time and they both headed in their respective directions.

Mr. Ken knew that this weekend would be a busy one and he needed to get a good night’s rest.

And now, with Collin’s arrival, he knew the weekend would be that much more interesting.

When the owner of The Cove finally laid down in his comfortable king-sized bed, it didn’t take long for him to fall asleep.

The Covers all slept well that Friday night. Chief slept in Collin’s room that night.

The saga of Three Finger Cove continues. Let Chowhound know you are reading his story: Chowhnd at Gmail dot Com

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